I never said that is was definitely an average year. I said, if I had to guess I would say average because that is how numbers look when you guess. When in reality, if you look at the actual numbers, they are more than likely going to be something completely different.
Preliminary 2013 Revenue Results and 4th Qtr Earnings
- Thread starter Alf33
- Start date
Can you guys point me in the direction of the attendance numbers from last year?
As far as I know TEA is the only group that gives any kind of estimates of theme park attendance. I don't believe 2013 is out yet, it looks like it might be published in June sometime. Atlantis and I had an attendance conversation a few weeks ago in which he stated BGW was way down based on his sources. I'm not sure who his sources are and if they are reliable, but other than that, I don't think anyone has any clue as to what the estimates are.
http://tea-connect.blogspot.com/2013/05/tea-and-aecom-to-publish-2012-theme.html
http://tea-connect.blogspot.com/2013/05/tea-and-aecom-to-publish-2012-theme.html
I don't have a link to a recording of the conference call (I'm sure someone can find it) but Jim went into the attendance drop during his bit. Basically he said overall the chain was down 1.something% but all SeaWorld branded properties had record years. He specifically said their "other parks" were pulling their numbers down.
It's worth noting that the attendance drop is especially horrific because SEAS opened a new park this year. Somehow those "other parks" pulled the numbers down enough to nullify the opening of a new park and record years at the SeaWorld parks. That's really bad.
It's worth noting that the attendance drop is especially horrific because SEAS opened a new park this year. Somehow those "other parks" pulled the numbers down enough to nullify the opening of a new park and record years at the SeaWorld parks. That's really bad.
Matt Conkle said:
TEA is estimates, like you said, and the numbers provided my operators can more times than not pad the number. No way you will get a detailed full breakdown of just how down numbers are here; even I cannot get the FULL details; select few see and know those.
As I posted before this conference call, SW branded parks have all been great and Aquatica parks were slammed busy. BGT has been putting down great numbers but not on the level of the SW branded bunch. All last summer, Fall, and CT I posted about spending being down and attendance nowhere near the level it should be. The larger issue is not the OVERALL park attendance, really it is redundant.
Admission is not where BGW makes money, especially when so many are on EZPay and they hand out Fun Cards like Food Stamps. BGW makes it dollars off of food, merchandise, and QQ cards. Lower than proper attendance hurts the sale of QQ, upped food prices while the quality has dropped has hurt culinary (which is not culinary's fault), and people just not being moved by the park has hurt merchandise sales (along with some tacky stuff for sale). When guest spending is LOW LOW like it is you get the result the CEO referenced, a dragging anchor.